Digital Media Mom

11 Best Holiday Gifts for Girls in 2016 - Tween and Teen

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 14:41:00 +0000

There are some amazing gadgets and gifts for teen and tween girls this holiday season. My favorites and my tween daughters are below.

3Doodler 2.0 Drawing Pen
This 3D drawing pen by Brookstone made my tween daughters Christmas list. It's one of the hottest toys for 2016 holiday season. Hoping it lives up to its promise - easy to use!

Wreck This Journal

One of the best journals on the market for tweens and teens! It will keep your child engaged by prompting them to do things such as adding photos, painting a page with hot chocolate and coloring outside the lines. Creative and fun!

Wired Cat Ear Headphones from Brookstone
Great tween or teen holiday gift gadget! LED lighted cat ears with over-the-ear cushioning for noise reduction and a secure fit. It also is USB rechargeable—up to 5 hours of playing time per charge.

Chocolate Bar Maker
Somehow, every year, a food toy makes my daughters list. This year it's the Chocolate Bar Maker by Moose Toys. I'm sure she'll only use it once or twice. I bought it for her because it made her list and I'll get a yummy chocolaty treat that she made especially for me.

Adventures in Lettering by Dawn Nicole Warnaar

Great book if your child is interested in crafting such as scrapbooking and card making. I purchased this along with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Bright, 10-Pack.

Crayola Air Marker Sprayer
My tween daughter loves doing art projects. This Air Marker Sprayer available at many stores like Target and Walmart is another hot toy this 2016 holiday season. It also had great reviews. One thing that I like about it is that you can use any marker versus having to purchase something unique that can't be used alone.

Pie Face! Game
Help! Yes it's hilariously fun! Yes my kids will love this! But I'm still torn between purchasing this game or the Bounce-Off game. Having whipped cream splattered on my kids (or their friends) face will be hilarious! As a mommy of four, I just don't want to deal with the mess it will create and the cost of continually having to purchase whipped cream just doesn't excite me.

Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter ImagePriced at only $49.99, this Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter Image will give you an amazing 3-D experience. We tried it, and absolutely love it! The best part is that it is compatible with all smartphones up to 3.875” W x 7.5” H.

Day At The Spa Gift Set by Creativity for Kids
I did purchase this for my tween daughter. She and her five year old sister asked for this for Christmas. It's a bit pricey, but I think they'll get a lot of use out of it. At least, I'm hoping.

It comes with an inflatable pedicure foot tub, nail dryer that is battery operated, satin eye mask, pedicure slippers and toe separators, nail file, buffer, 4 bottles of nail polish, 1 bottle of glitter polish, 6 sets of printed press-on nails, stick-on nail art, nail stand, cotton balls and satin spa bag to hold all of your supplies. Batteries not included.

Lookatool® Flying RC Ball Infrared Induction Mini Aircraft Flashing Light Remote Toy

Fun gadget when you are doing your homework and need a breather.

Spot it! Fire and Ice

Last, but not least, Spot it! is one of our favorite games to play. It's a face paced game that develops focus, visual perception and strategy.

11 Best Holiday Gifts for Boys in 2016 - Tween and Teen

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:43:00 +0000

Every holiday season, I spend hours upon hours researching the latest and greatest gadgets and gifts to purchase for my kids for Christmas. This year, I discovered 11 cool holiday gifts for my tween and teen boys.

Virtual Reality Headset for Gaming and Movies
This is the coolest gadget for the 2016 holiday gift season. Great for kids and adults. I haven't purchased one yet; but it has made one of my son's top Christmas list requests. Right now, I'm highly considering the Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter Image. It's priced competitively at $49.99 and has 5 star reviews.

The following are two review sites that are helping me in my decision process.

PCmag.com Virtual Reality review
Virtual Reality headset by Wareable.com

Infrared Laser Tag from Smarter Image

This is just one cool gadget for only $69.99! You get two infrared laser rifles (one blue one green) that “shoots” infrared light, and two (blue and green) visors that records hits up to 100 ft. away. The rifles also can transform to a pistol. Another amazing feature is the visor has a scan” feature that tells you when your opponent is getting close.

Virtual Pong from Smarter Image
Smarter Image rocks with cool gadgets for the entire family. The Virtual Pong game priced at only $79.99 is on the top of our list this year. It's great for those cold winter days.

Atari Flashback 7 Classic Video Game Console
This looks like such a cool video game system! It comes with 101 games that I played when I was growing up. It has mixed reviews. Honestly, technology didn't work well in the 80's and 90's so this console may bring back some great memories.

I purchased this from Bed Bath & Beyond, using a 20% coupon.

Vista Sage 62" Recurve Take-down Bow
My 13 year old son asked for this. After doing some research, I decided to purchase it from Basspro due to price savings. I also purchased him a Vista Recurve Bow and Arrow case from Cabela's, along with some Carbon arrows.

K'nex K-force Mega Boom Building Set
This was a Lightning Deal on Amazon, so I couldn't pass it up as a surprise gift for my tween boy. He loves building Lego's and shooting Nerf guns. Hopefully he'll enjoy this as much.

Google Pixel
I haven't purchased this yet, but am highly considering it. For the past five years, we've been an iPhone family. With Google playing such a big role in my kids educational lives, I'm leaning towards investing in the Google Pixel for my boy and girl twins.

Google Pixel=

Fishing rod
My boys love to fish. This year, my 13 year old asked for a Shakespeare Catch More Fish Rod and Reel Combo for Catfish

Not for Parent How to Be a World Explorer
This was another mommy surprise gift for my 13 year old son.

Beats by Dr. Dre - Powerbeats2 Wireless Earbud Headphones - These are one of the hottest gifts of the season. For the price, all I'm hoping is that they truly are comfortable and work!

Framed portrait of my boys favorite sports team and playerMy boys are big MLB and NFL fans. This year I wanted to get them something they can see and enjoy every day - Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Framed 15" x 17" Super Bowl XLIX Champions (purchased from Fanatics and used a 40% + free shipping coupon) and Chicago Cubs Highland Mint 2016 World Series Champions 13" x 16" Key Moments

7 Simple SEO Hacks for Bloggers

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:16:00 +0000

I've been helping businesses (and mom bloggers) for years optimize their website, landing pages and blog. Many recommendations I make are simple and can easily be fixed, while others take time and sometimes an investment in resources.

Here are my top seven SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips:

Know what keywords you want to rank for

Keywords are one of the most important SEO hacks. As a mom, lifestyle or professional blogger, you need to determine what keywords you want searchers to be able to find your blog when they are querying.
Use long-tail keywords in your content. These types of keywords are 3 to 4 words in length and are specific to what you are selling or offering. For instance, if your are a recipe blogger, instead of using the word recipe alone, add more description such as pumpkin pie family recipe.
Research competitors for the top keywords they are ranking for. This will also give you ideas on additional keywords you can use within your content.
Don't over use one keyword throughout your blog. Again, it will appear spammy when crawling your site.
Sprinkle long-tail keywords within your informational blog post. When Google crawls your site, it is looking for consistency and a few keyword variations to be able to understand what your content is about.
There are lots of tools available for getting keyword ideas such as Google Adwords Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and SEMRush.

Optimize your Titles

Include your keywords in your mom blog title.
Try to keep your titles under 55 characters. Google typically displays the first 50-60 characters of a title tag.

Format URL's so search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo can read them

Include descriptive keywords in your URL's. When creating titles and content, write for the reader not for the search engines crawling your page.
Use hyphens instead of underscores to separate words. A word of caution though, overuse of hyphens can be seen as spammy by the search engines. So watch out how long your make your URL.
URL character length should be no longer than 2,048 characters. If longer, Internet Explorer won't be able to load the page.

Add Alt Text to all your images using keywords and variations of your keywords
Sprinkle keywords and links within your blog post.

Many bloggers believe that they should load their blog post with the same keyword and also link to ten plus sites. This is seen by the search engines as being spammy. Instead, include variations of your keyword and link a few of your keyword variations to other sites.

Ensure link relevancy

Building link relevancy helps establish trust for your site. Link relevancy is determined by search engines by both the content of the source page and the anchor text.
Include short-tail or long-tail keywords in your Anchor Text. Anchor text is the words that hyperlinks display when linking to another website, landing page or document.

Register your blog with Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool that helps you monitor and fix your blog. Your able to see which pages are causing 404 errors, what keywords Google thinks is relevant for your blog and if the search engine is having problems crawling your site.

Tiny Prints 2016 Invitations, Holiday Cards and Personalized Gifts Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 14:03:00 +0000

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8 Tips for Parents to Monitor Kids Online Behavior

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:58:00 +0000

Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, Minecraft and Pokemon Go are only a handful of the thousands of online social media channels and apps where kids can get lost and obsessed. Even though there are many benefits to kids using these sites and apps including problem-solving, increased socialization and creativity, there are many more downsides.

In fact, just recently I read about a new type of depression called "Facebook depression." It's where de-friending and cyberbullying can affect a child's (and also an adults) self-esteem and self-worth causing symptoms of depression. Those Facebook pictures always look like people are having a great time. The question to ask, "Are they really?" or "Are they just posing for the camera?"

Cyberbullying

As parents, we not only have to prepare our kids for the real world, we also have to prepare them for the online world. The following are some tips to help monitor your kids social networking time and experience:

Create kids rules for online safety
Discuss what online reputation is
Talk about online dangers
Friend your child on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
Set a power down time where kids are kids - technology-free
Check privacy and restriction settings, especially Youtube and Ratings for apps, movies, music and tv shows
Use online monitoring software such as Net Nanny
Keep mobile phones and computers out of your kids bedroom when sleeping

Children's Book Blast $25 Cash Giveaway - This Little President by Joan Holub

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Children's Book Blast for the newly-released children's board book, "This Little President: A Presidential Primer" by Joan Holub and Daniel Roode.

About the Book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

Children's Book Description: A children's picture board book primer on presidents. Learn about the United States Presidents with this bright and playful board book! Highlighting ten of the most memorable USA Presidents—and featuring all forty-four on the last page—parents and little leaders-in-training alike will love sharing this fun primer full of age-appropriate facts, leadership skills, and White House history.

Leading our country. Helping you and me. Keeping all fifty states safe, happy, and free. Little presidents have a great big job.

See more at Little Simon

Sneak Peek of This Little President Children's Picture Book

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan Holub is the author of 140+ books for children including the Mini Myths series of 8 board books: Be Careful, Icarus!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa!, Make A Wish Midas! Joan also authored the acclaimed picture books Little Red Writing, The Knights Before Christmas, and Mighty Dads, a New York Times bestseller. Joan also co-authors (with Suzanne Williams) three series: Goddess Girls (ages 8-12, Greek mythology with a middle school twist), Grimmtastic Girls (for ages 8-12, fairy tale adventure with a middle school twist), and Heroes in Training (ages 6-11, Greek mythology adventure chapter books).

Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Facebook

Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: January 26, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Goo and Spot Picture Book

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the fun-filled picture book, "Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle" by Elsa Takaoka. Grab a copy of "Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle" and "Goo and Spot in the Great Zoo Escape for FREE, December 8 and 9, 2015.

About the Book

Book Description: 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 100 customer reviews. Two time #1 Amazon Best Seller in Manners. Illustratated by former DreamWorks Big Idea storyboardist Catherine Toennisson. Funny, silly and sweet, Goo and Spot teaches the importance of good listening skills. This amusing riddle educates without sounding like lessons and lectures. Instead, it has a fun and imaginative style. This book about Goo and Spot’s amazing and colorful adventures will definitely hit a child’s funny bone, with a valuable lesson learned along the way!

A NEW "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

The Buzz About the Book

"How cute and clever was this book. It was like Dr. Seuss has found a friend." ~ Grafixsus, Amazon

"This would be the perfect book to read to a group of wriggly kindergartners. " ~ Anon, Anon, Amazon

"Both the text and the illustrations are rich and dynamic and evoke in both adults and children alike a desire to interact with the text and the images both creatively and consistently." ~ Margot V., Amazon

"The story makes my sons giggle with glee and they gave me a big hug at the ending. Thumbs up!" ~ Torres, Amazon

"The words come to life to young readers through the bright and fresh artwork making this a wonderful rhyming book that kids will want to read over and over!" ~ April M., Amazon

About the Author: Elsa Takaoka

Budding author Elsa Takaoka puts her pen to paper and creates a fun and heart-warming story. Spinning words with natural creativity, Elsa discovered her love of language at a very early age. She then pursued a career in Speech Language Pathology and English as a Second Language until the birth of her first daughter. Reading to her own little girls sparked her whimsical journey through children’s literature. Her dream to write and publish a picture book was achieved with Goo and Spot and The Do Not Wiggle Riddle, the first in the Goo and Spot book series. Currently, Elsa lives in Fukuoka, Japan with her sources of inspiration- her loving husband and their two adorable little girls.

Author Website * Facebook * Twitter * Google+

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 20, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Elsa Takaoka and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Lionel's Grand Adventure Picture Book

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the middle grade book, "Lionel's Christmas Adventure: Lionel Learns the True Meaning of Christmas", based on the lovable character, Lionel Snodgrass, created by Paul Hewlett.

About the Book

Title: Lionel's Christmas Adventure: Lionel learns the true meaning of Christmas | Author: Paul R. Hewlett | Publication Date: November 10, 2012 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 40 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10 Book Description: Have you ever wanted something you couldn't have? Meet Lionel, a loveable bully-magnet who desperately wants a new sled and will do anything to get it.This fun Christmas book follows Lionel from Larrystown to the North Pole. His magical Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun foot is back and is as unpredictable as ever. Whether Lionel's sledding, ice skating, or in a life-sized gingerbread village, it takes him on some grand adventures. Filled with great Christmas imagery, this book is perfect for young readers and family story time.

The Buzz About the Book

"I loved reading about Lionel and his adventure. And I love a good Christmas story. I got both in this one amazing book! " ~ Susan S., Amazon

"Lionel's Christmas Adventure is a classic, reminds me of Charlie Brown in fact it would be super cute as a cartoon for kids during the holidays. Must Read!" ~ Lovely Reader, Amazon

"A great story for children with a sprinkling of magic... A book that will encourage children to think about what is really valuable in life. ~ Diane, Amazon

"The story is a great read, not just for the holiday, but all year as well." ~ Mysunshine510, Amazon

"Lionel’s character and thoughts are perfect for teaching younger ones the true spirit of the holidays, and ways that we as community members can give back to others and it doesn’t cost us anything but some time and kindness. Join Lionel in spreading some Christmas cheer!" ~ Charlie A., Amazon

About the Author: Paul R. Hewlett

Paul R. Hewlett is the author of the Lionel’s Grand Adventure series. Lionel Goes to Camp is the third book in the series. In addition to writing the Lionel’s Grand Adventure books, Paul does freelance writing and co-authors a children’s/middle grade/young adult blog called Sher A. Hart: Written Art. You can learn more about Paul at paulrhewlett.weebly.com

Website * Blog * Facebook

Twitter * Google+ * Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 18, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Paul Hewlett and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast Cash Giveaway and Book Review - Mice & Spiders & Webs . . . Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the picture book "Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My!" by Sherrill S. Cannon.

Title: Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My! | Author: Sherrill S. Cannon | Illustrator: Kalpart | Publication Date: March 19, 2015 | Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, LLC | Pages: 30 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother) Summary: Is your child a good listener? Rosemary is a little girl who is worried about returning to school after her teacher warns the class that they would soon have some mice, spiders, and webs in the classroom. Could Rosemary have misunderstood something? How can mice and spiders and webs belong at school? Full of "Computer Speak," this story introduces young readers to basic computer terms in a delightful way! See if your child can discover the mystery of the misunderstood words, and learn about the fun of computers with Rosemary.

Please note that 50% of the cost of Sherrill Cannon's books go to the following two organizations: http://sbpra.com/curejm and http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree. Here are Ms. Cannon's other books:

My Fingerpaint Masterpiece deals with perspective, perception and self-esteem as a child fingerpaints artwork in class, and later discovers it as part of the town’s Art Contest. Manner-Man is a Superhero who helps children cope with bullies, and teaches them how to look within themselves for their own superhero.
Gimme-Jimmy is about how a bully learns to share. His “New Polite Rule” helps him learn to make friends.
The Magic Word helps Elisabeth learn the magic word “please”, and to use it every day. Please and Thank you are words that everyone needs to use!
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, helps parents cope with whining, disguised as a fun story. Peter is a rabbit who whines all the time, and might have to join the Whimper-Whineys.
Santa’s Birthday Gift includes Santa in the Christmas story. (After reading a story of the nativity to her granddaughter, she was asked “But where’s Santa?”)

The Buzz About the Book

"Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My! features a wonderful rhyming tale with an important underlying message about "being a good listener". As an added bonus, the book also features bright and kid-friendly illustrations with cameo appearances of characters and covers from previous books. I highly recommend this (and other books by Sherrill S. Cannon) for children ages 4 to 8 years." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"I adored this fun story and know it will become a fast favorite among readers." ~ Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks

"This book is educational, while entertaining too, and is a great teaching tool on being a good Listener." ~ Lu Ann, Rockin' Book Reviews

"This is a very fun book for both children and adults. It carries an important message, but at the same time introduces computer terminology that perhaps not every child will be familiar with." ~ Crsytal @ Castle View Academy

About the Author: Sherrill S. Cannon

Sherrill S. Cannon is a former teacher and a grandmother of ten, who is also an Award-Winning Best-Selling Author! Her multi-cultural books have received thirty-six 2011-15 National and International awards. Most of her books try to teach something, like good manners and consideration for others. All of her books are part of two fundraisers, one to help find a cure for Juvenile Myositis, an incurable children's disease at http://sbpra.com/curejm/ and another for the anti-bullying campaign at imbullyfree.org at http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree 50% of the cost of her books on these sites will go directly to each organization! Sherrill is also the author of seven published and internationally performed plays for elementary school children, She is a resident of New Hope, PA and travels with her husband of 55 years throughout North America in their RV, sharing her books along the way!

Website * SBPRA Website * CureJM Website

Google+ * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 9, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Sherrill S. Cannon and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Finn's Rocket

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:27:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for "Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air", the third book in the "Finn's Fast Books" middle grade series by Serena Schreiber.

About the Book

Amazon * Goodreads

Book Description: Finn's summer vacation plans didn't include leaving the planet. When his little sister gets kidnapped from space camp, Finn will do anything and go anywhere to get her back. Even the international space station.

The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"

Finn's Ship: "The story blends Finn's American upbringing with his German heritage, acquainting the reader with the many similarities and differences in food, culture, language, transportation and family values." ~ Candy 613, Amazon

Finn's Ship: "The author did a marvelous job bringing the characters to life and making the reader feel apart of each scene." ~ Glen G., Amazon

Finn's Car: "I really enjoyed reading this book! Very fun to read and it's something that teens will love to read. I recommend it to everyone!" ~ Jocelyn, Amazon

Finn's Car: "A well-paced, funny and highly infectious read!" ~ Bree W., Amazon

About the Author: Serena Schreiber

First published in Brooklyn in third grade, Serena Schreiber took a circuitous route through Europe to settle in Florida. When not writing for kids or scientists, she follows her other muse, fantasy. She's a happy co-conspirator of Florida Writers Association Youth Program and runs the Howl at the Moon Writers Jam. Serena has two amazing children, a handsome husband, and a turtle named Bolt.

Author Website | Book Website

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 29, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Serena Schreiber and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reader's Favorite Gold Medal Children's Picture Book Award Winner - Isabella Babysits Baxter

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:54:00 +0000

"Isabella Babysits Baxter" is a 2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Children - Picture/Pop up category!

Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that "Isabella Babysits Baxter" by Melissa Perry Moraja is a Gold Medal Winner in the Children - Picture/Pop up category in our 2015 International Book Award Contest.

"Funny, entertaining and educational!"

The 2015 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries.

Readers' Favorite has become the fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

In addition to reviewing for some of the biggest names in the literary industry, as well as the first time independent author, they host a respected award contest which features entries from new authors to NYT best-sellers, as well as celebrities like Jim Carrey and Henry Winkler.

About Isabella Babysits Baxter
Six year old Isabella usually is the one who has a babysitter. But when her enormous puppy named Baxter creates a mess and prevents her mom from working, Isabella's mom asks her to babysit him. And Isabella knows exactly how to do it! Or does she? First, Isabella gets Baxter dressed...TWICE! Next they have a snack, but not without a CRASH and a BANG. And that’s just the beginning. Join Isabella in her very first picture book filled with lots of humor and adventure as she tries to keep Baxter from making a bigger mess.

Isabella Babysits Baxter has also been awarded:
Mom's Choice Award
B.R.A.G. Medallion Award

Tween Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Miss Priss: One and Off the Court

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the tween chapter book "Miss Priss: On and Off the Court" by Judy Phillips and Brenda Nichols from September 15 to 21, 2015.

MISS PRISS: ON AND OFF THE COURT is book one in the new tween chapter series by Mom’s Choice Award winning writer-illustrator Team, ‘Brenjudy’. On and Off the Court introduces Priscilla Penelope Paxton (Miss Priss), a ten year old whose interests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. A unique coming-of-age story bound to bring giggles and enjoyment to all its readers as Miss Priss encounters and overcomes a slew of challenges, even the one that will continue to grow—self-awareness. The book features full color illustrations.

About the Book

Title: Miss Priss: On and Off the Court | Author: Judy Phillips | Illustrator: Brenda Nichols | Publication Date: August 20, 2015 | Publisher: Tadpole Press ...4 Kids (a division of Smooth Sailing Press) | Pages: 230 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: Priscilla Penelope Paxton is a witty ten year old whose inter-ests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. Dance classes, Girl Scouts, school assignments, friends and hanging out at her family's drug store, and the local Piggly Wiggly would leave any other person with no time for any-thing else. Yet, the thrill of basketball and joining the Little Dribblers finds its way into Miss Priss' heart. Though this interest will prove to be a dream that requires overcoming the greatest of challenges; Mom’s opposition. A task that will require ingenuity, perseverance and a little help from some loved ones.

Amazon * Smooth Sailing Press * Goodreads

Book Preview

Book Review

Simply a delightful read! My 11 year old and I chuckled quite a bit throughout the story. The illustrations were entertaining as was the story. My daughter loves basketball, so was immediately anxious to read the story. And Miss Priss, one busy 10 year old girl, didn't disappoint her. Judy Phillips did an amazing job with keeping the reader engaged and the illustrations by Brenda Nichols complimented the story.

My daughter and I highly recommend this story. Miss Priss: On and Off the Court is packed with lots of humor and plenty of kid growing moments.

About the Author: Judy Phillips

Judy Phillips is an educator with over twenty years of experience and is currently a counselor at Samuel Houston Elemen-tary School in Huntsville, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and a Master of Education degree in Coun-seling from Sam Houston State University. Phillips volunteers locally with university students through local ministries and mentor programs.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the Illustrator: Brenda Nichols

Brenda Nichols was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is an educator at university level, with over twenty years of experience. She is currently the Head Women's Basketball Coach and Professor of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Nichols holds an Associate of Arts degree from Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas, a Bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and a Master's degree from The University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Nichols volunteers locally by mentoring students and through motivational speaking engagements at schools and various civic organizations.

Facebook | Goodreads

Miss Priss Blog Tour Schedule (2015)

September 15

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Author Interview)

Cherry Mischievous (Excerpt)

Blooming Brilliant (Book Review)

September 16

Girl of a 1000 Wonders (Book Review)

BeachBoundBooks (Guest Post)

Sher A Hart: Written Art (Book Review)

September 17

Don't Judge, Read (Book Review)

Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom (Book Review)

September 18

Rockin' Book Reviews (Book Review)

K&A's Children's Book Reviews (Interview)

Icefairy's Treasure Chest (Book Review)

September 19

Bookworm for Kids (Excerpt)

Brit Bear's Book Reviews (Book Review)

September 20

The Blended Blog (Book Review)

Bookroom Reviews (Book Review)

September 21

Crystal's Chaotic Confessions (Excerpt)

Tea Time and Books (Guest Post & Book Review)

Heart of Philanthropist (Book Review)

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choiceGiveaway ends: September 28, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, SmoothSailing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:34:00 +0000

Legends of Zelda Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is one of the coolest instruments I've seen and played. I actually thought it was just a toy that I was going to be reviewing. But as I continued researching it, I learned that people actually take lessons to learn how to play an Ocarina.

My 11 year old son helped me test the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. He's a huge Legends of Zelda fan, so was thrilled that I asked him to help me review it.

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time instrument is made of high-quality, kiln-fired ceramic. It has 12 holes that allows you to play sounds ranging from A4-F6 including sharps and flats.

My son and I have never played an instrument like this before. However, within minutes he was able to play notes.

My only concern with the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is that it is made of ceramic. Every time my son picks it up and holds it, the first thought that runs through my mind is, "Please don't drop it." I can just see it shattering on the floor and tears flooding his eyes. Other than that, I highly recommend it, especially if you have a Legend of Zelda fan in your house.

Price is reasonable and seems to be discounted on Amazon, making it a great gift for kids.

To order go to
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on Amazon

I was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.

Paula's Choice Skincare Product Review and Get 20% Off

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:48:00 +0000

Get 20% off plus free shipping off your next order of Paula's Choice Skincare Products with coupon code: PRBZZ20, and build a skin care routine that’s right for you!

I love testing skincare products! Especially ones that can help reduce those fine lines. As a BzzAgent I had the opportunity to tryout Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster. I received this product for free for my honest review.

Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster is an anti-aging product with hyaluronic acid that binds with skin to hold in moisture and plump up those wrinkles while also hydrating your skin.

I used it for almost 4 weeks. I love the feeling of it when applying it to my skin. It came in a small trial sized bottle. The trial sized drop applicator didn't really work. The directions said to apply two drops directly to your face or mix it with any serum, moisturizer (without SPF) or eye cream. I wasn't able to easily get many drops out of the applicator so instead I smeared the outside of the drop applicator against my skin.

Upon first use, my skin looked healthier and hydrated. I used it every day in the morning and evening, mixing it in with a moisturizer. I'm very impressed with how m y skin looks and feels. However, it took about 3 weeks of use for me to start noticing some of the fine lines fading. Nothing drastic, but I am noticing a difference.

Additional information about Paula's Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster:

It can also be used before or after AHA or BHA exfoliants, retinol treatments and other anti-aging products.
The formula is suitable for all skin types — even breakout prone skin
Like all Paula’s Choice Skincare products, the ingredients in this formula are proven effective by published, scientific research
It’s also 100% fragrance- and colorant-free, with no added dyes or irritants
Paula's Choice skincare products are never tested on animals

Father's Day Gift Guide - The Best For Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:58:00 +0000

My kids and I are already planning a special Father's Day celebration! Breakfast in bed, then off to the park for a picnic if it's sunny. If rain is in the forecast, we'll be enjoying Bloody Mary's at his restaurant of choice. And to end the day, we'll do a fun activity like miniature golf or bowling or catch a movie.

Now for this years special Father's Day gift for my husband. Like every year, my hubby gives lots of hints to what gift we should get him. This year it's a bike computer called the Cateye. Pretty amazing little electronic gadget!

My hubby has really gotten into biking over the past two years, focused on raising money to support JDRF. Our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes 3 1/2 years ago.

The following are other Father's Day gift ideas that I have sent my dad and considered getting my hubby!

Watch for Dad

Other Father's Day gift ideas include golf accessories, electronic gadgets such as iPhone and iPad, tailgating games like bean bag toss, new grill, Father's Day shirt, baseball hat, grilling accessories, tie, universal remote control and cologne.

Please share how you are spending Father's Day and the special gift you are getting for your hubby or dad!

2015 Spring and Summer Crafts Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 26 May 2015 00:45:00 +0000

Welcome to the last installment of the four-part spring craft blog hop challenge for 2015! This hop will run from May 26th - June 20th. We're challenging each of you to create a craft project that reflects a general spring or summer theme, Father's Day, or Fourth of July. Please join us in this challenge and link-up your crafty creation at the bottom of this post and have it shared on 12 blogs!

To kick off the spectacular Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop, I'm sharing a "how to" tutorial for Learn How to Hand Paint Wine Glasses!

How to Paint on Glass

Meet all 12 Wonderful Hosts of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4!

Each host will be sharing their own special craft to kick off the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop challenge, so make sure you visit each host to see their fabulous creations!

*Please follow your hosts on at least one or more social media platforms of your choice. Let us know you're following from #SCBH2015*

Erlene @My Pinterventures Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Ashleigh @Simply Wright Pinterest/Bloglovin/Instagram/FB/G+
Stephanie @Casa Watkins Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Misty @The Lady Prefers 2 Save Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

Amanda @The Kolb Corner Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Crystal @Penny Loves Projects Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/Bloglovin/G+
Debi @Surroundings by Debi Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Melissa @Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/G+

Beverly & Gloria @Across the Boulevard Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+/G+
Kristen @The Road to Domestication Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/YouTube
Kate @Creative House Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Christine @Where The Smiles Have Been Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

Grab a button and help us spread the word!

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://mypinterventures.com" title="My Pinterventures"></a></div><br />

Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4 - General Spring & Summer crafts, Father's Day, and July 4th crafts

LINK-UP RULES

Link-up your craft or DIY tutorial that fit the themes of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop. Links that do not fit the themes will be deleted.
DO NOT link-up food or recipes.
DO NOT link-up round-ups unless all the craft posts are yours.
DO NOT link-up Etsy items or things for sale
DO NOT link-up posts you've shared on past Spring Craft Blog Hops for 2015.
Link directly to your post and not your blog.

Show us what you've created and be seen on 12 blogs!

[Tweet "Join the Spring Craft Blog Hop! Share your craft on 12 blogs! @pinterventures #SCBH2015"]

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:38:00 +0000

Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner, which is the perfect time to begin planning and even starting your garden. I'm excited to share the following guest blog post, 5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids, by Linda Williams!

If necessity is the mother of invention, then being a mother brings out creative genius. I firmly believe “mash-up” was first uttered by a mom who was trying to keep an eye on the kids garden and prepare dinner in the same window of time.

While many kids may not jump at the chance to do the laundry, gardening definitely has a certain appeal. Teach kids where food comes from by starting gardens and asking young helpers to dig, plant, water, watch, weed, and harvest with you. Here are a few of our go-to tips.

Tools. One of the first things to do when gardening with kids is to get the right tools for the job. Most adults have gardening tools, but they are too big for little hands. Garden centers and even the local dollar store carry scaled down versions of gloves, rakes, hoes, pails and even wheel barrows!

When I was young, I wanted to match my mother. If we were shopping and she bought a scarf, I had to have a matching scarf. It made me feel special. You can do the same thing when gardening with little ones. Find matching or complementary gloves, matching shovel or watering cans – the sky is the limit.

Seeds or young plants
An outing to the garden center for seeds and plants is an adventure in itself. Keep to the aisles with seed racks and plants or you may be surprised when you child tries to bounce a glass gazing ball (speaking from experience here).

What is your child’s favorite color, flower, or food? If possible, choose seeds or plants that match some of their favorites. My daughter loves purple and any plant that is purple gets special attention from her.

Via Blackspotfarm.com

Forget about keeping clean
Find the perfect planting location either in a cozy corner, a raised bed, or right up front. Let kids dig in the dirt. The feel of good soil in the fingers and toes is a Zen-like experience even for little ones and getting messy doesn’t hurt either. Remember gardening can be done in swimming suits for easy clean up after.

Via Americanseedalliance.org

Learning about garden partners

Gardening is a good time to introduce kids to the earth’s flora and fauna. Did you intercept an earthworm while digging? Explain that worms aerate and fertilize the soil so roots and plants can grow strong.

Are your children amateur butterfly collectors or future bee keepers? Add insect and hummingbird favorites like a Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) and Bee balm (Monarda didyma) to your flower garden.

Butterfly bush - Via Sunset.com

Bee balm - Via Birdsandblooms.com

In the vegetable garden, flowering oregano, sage, and borage are also popular with pollinating bees. Teach kids that bees are too busy hunting for nectar to care about their presence in the garden. Bees and other pollinators are essential to crops and deserve respect. Just give them a little room to do their jobs.

Oregano - Via Sunset.com

Care and Harvest

Once seeds and plants take hold, let children water and weed with you. If a plant is missed and found wilting later, explain that it needs water. Then, ask the kids to give it special care and keep track of the results. They’ll feel like garden heroes when it comes back to life.

Via Kidactivities.net

Even kids who draw the line at vegetables can’t resist trying fruits and veggies that they planted, watered, weeded, and harvested. Give them a big basket or bucket to collect their bounty. The experience will last a lifetime.

Via Blog.williams-sonoma.com

For more ideas and other home inspiration, head to Modernize.com.

Save 30% Off Summer Fun Kiwi Crate Discovery Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:42:00 +0000

Kick off a fun family summer with the Summer Discovery Series activities by Kiwi Crate! Kiwi Crate offers hands-on kids' projects designed to encourage kid curiosity and promote new discoveries. Each Kiwi Crate kit comes with 2-3 kid-friendly project activities. The best part is all project materials and instruction are included!

For the month of June, July and August 2015, Kiwi Crate will be sending unique fun summer themed projects that will inspire exciting and new adventures and discoveries for kids!

Save 30% on your 1st month subscription to Kiwi Crate plus free shipping with code SUMMERFUN.

Kiwi Crate mission is to inspire kids’ creativity and to help equip the next generation of innovators and explorers with the tools for creative problem solving and exploration. Kiwi Crate offers high quality award-winning activity products across four brands for young discoverers ranging in age from 3 to 16+.

As per FTC regulations, this post does contain Shareasale affiliate links. If clicked on and a purchase is made, I will receive compensation.

Selfie Stick Makes Taking Self-portraits Fun and Easy - Mpow iSnap Bluetooth Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Thu, 14 May 2015 12:48:00 +0000

The Mpow iSnap X Bluetooth Self-portrait Monopod is one of the best gadgets on the market right now! It allows you to not only take really good selfies, but also group and family pictures.

I'm not a huge selfie mom, but I do love taking family pictures. A little history... most of my family vacation pictures don't include me, unless I'm able to find a random person who is willing to snap a photo. It's like I'm the invisible mom.

Well... for Mother's Day, I brought this Selfie Stick with me and was able to take a picture with all four of my kids with my husband and I in the picture! Woohoo! The lighting wasn't great at Outback, but that didn't matter to me because I didn't have to hunt down the waiter to take a family photo.

Below are some pictures of what my life was like before using the Mpow Selfie Stick and after! I also included a video to show you how long it is, features and how to use the Bluetooth feature.

Before Selfie Stick:

Me taking picture

Barely got my kids and I in Selfie Picture

After Selfie Stick:

First Selfie I took using Mpow Self-Portrait Monopod

Mother's Day at Outback using Selfie Stick

Kids using Selfie Stick

How to Use Mpow iSnap X Bluetooth Self-portrait Monopod:

I received an Mpow iSnap X Self-portrait Monopod for free for my honest opinion without compensation.

For more information and to order

the Mpow Selfie Stick at Amazon!

17 Summer Outdoor Activities for the Family

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:33:00 +0000

Myrtle Beach Family Kid Picture

I can't believe summer is right around the corner. As a family, we love taking short weekend getaways. Here are 17 fun family outdoor activity suggestions, along with my family favorites in the southeast.

Oh! I had to share the humorous family kid picture on the left (taken at Myrtle Beach). My 3 year old wanted a sip of her older brother's frozen smoothie and he said, "No" right as I took the picture. It captures the true family personality when on vacation! It's never picture perfect, but filled with lots of fun memories!

Hiking / Walking Trails

This is one of the easiest activities for a family to plan and do. There are so many hiking and walking trails. You can go to your local park or visit a National State Park. Locally, we visit Colonel Beatty Park on a regular basis. However, the following are some of my favorite hiking places in North Carolina.

Chimney Rock Park in NC

Professional Baseball or Soccer Game

We don't have an MBA team here in North Carolina. But we do have a minors baseball team, the Charlotte Knights Baseball team who we support. Sometimes we even have professional soccer teams. Last year, Bank of America hosted the Gold Cup soccer tournament which I took my oldest son to see. It was amazing! He got to see one of his favorite soccer players, Lionel Messi of Argentina.

International Soccer Game Liverpool vs AC Milan

Camping

I grew up camping in New Hampshire and still love it. It's such a great way to teach your kids survival skills and nature. It also provides great family bonding time. We usually campout at a lake where you can canoe, fish, grill out, take nature walks, build a campfire and roast up some marshmallows and Smores.

Canoeing and boating

We usually canoe and boat on a lake or pretty good sized river. Kids really enjoy it, especially if you can boat to small little islands, park your boat and explore a bit.

Boating at Lake Lure

Picnic

This is another really easy family activity to plan and do. You can have a picnic in your backyard, a local park or National State Park.

Fishing

All of my kids love to fish. They've fished at a creek behind our house, a small pond at our local park, river and lake. Typically they'll catch a fish and then let it go.

Fishing in North Carolina

White Water Rafting

This is a huge hit with kids! The best part is kids three years old and up can actually do it. There is a U.S. National Whitewater Center here in North Carolina which offers white water rafting, kayaking, paddle board, biking, adventure rope coarse and zip lining.

Zip lining

I went zip lining for the first time at a YMCA this spring. It was quite a rush! If you like adventure, this is a blast to do. Even if you only do it once. Zip lining has become such a hot activity that you can try it at most local YMCA's and amusement park's.

Biking

Pack a backpack full of snacks and start peddling. You can take a ride around the block, to your local look or enjoy a day at the park. We've even rented bikes before.

Rollerblading

I got into rollerblading when I lived in Chicago. It provides great exercise and can be lots of fun for the family to do together. My only recommendation is to make sure you have all the safety gear such as helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.

Zoo

This is one of our family favorites! Here in North Carolina, we usually visit the Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens. However, we've also been to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

Riverbanks Zoo

Another favorite of ours is Lazy 5 Ranch. It's a drive thru animal farm filled with exotic animals.

Amusement and Water Park
We make an effort to take our kids to an amusement and water park every year. When we go, I usually pack a lunch and bring lots of snacks, since the cost of food at amusement parks are ridiculously priced. Our favorite amusement park's in the southeast are Carowinds, Dollywood Theme Park and Dollywoods Splash Country.

Dollywood Theme Park

Local Outdoor Music Night
Here in the Charlotte, North Carolina area there are bands that play every Friday and Saturday night at various shopping strips throughout the city. We'll bring chairs, bottle of wine, food and enjoy a night of dancing with the kids. Charlotte Parent provides a great list of outdoor music and movie locations for people living in southern North Carolina.

Local and State Southeast Festivals
We love heading to local and state fairs and festivals! There are art fairs, beer festivals, BBQ festivals, music festivals and more! Our favorites here in North Carolina are the North Carolina State Fair and Renaissance Festival.

Outdoor Movie Night
Another one of our family favorites! We started going to movies in the park when we lived in Chicago and have continued the family tradition when we moved to Charlotte, NC area. A couple of tips...make sure you bring lots of bug spray, glow necklaces and snacks! The glow necklaces help to locate your kids when they head to the bathroom.

Beach Day

My kids love the beach! We'll spend the day swimming in the ocean and building sand castles. If we spend the night, we'll wake up early the next morning in search of sand dollars and unique sea shells.

Myrtle Beach

In the southeast, our favorite beach spots are Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. You can golf, swim, build sand castles, dig for crabs, sail, whale and dolphin watch, snorkel and shop.

Lake Trip

I love spending a weekend in a log cabin at a lake. Especially a lake that's surrounded by tree's to help provide some shade from the heat of the sun.

What are you family favorite summer activities?

Perfective Ceuticals Anti-imperfection Eye Therapy Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Thu, 07 May 2015 14:29:00 +0000

My facial skin has really changed since I've hit my 40's. I'm finding that I need to moisturize more often and use anti-aging creams to help my skin appear more youthful.

As a Tomoson reviewer, I was given the opportunity to review Perfective Ceuticals Anti-imperfection Eye Therapy with growth factor from Perfective Ceuticals for my honest opinion.

This anti-aging, wrinkle cream is a skin care eye product that contains both Collagen and Elastin stimulators to help reduce fine lines, improve firmness and prevent formation of wrinkles.

The eye therapy cream came in a very attractive packaging with simple instructions. All you need to do is wash your face with a facial cleanser and then apply a pea-sized amount to the over and under eye area twice a day.

I've been using this product for two weeks now. So far, the under area of my eyes feel softer and look more hydrated. I haven't noticed any reduction in fine lines as of yet. And when I do, I will update this post! Most products like this take time to rebuild aged skin.

Perfective Ceuticals Anti-imperfection Eye Therapy is priced to compete with top brands such as Rodan + Fields and Skinmedica. A little pricier than your department store eye creams, but if it does what other Amazon reviewers have shared, then I'm willing to pay a little more for an eye cream that will help reduce fine lines, prevent crows feet and give my facial skin a youthful appearance.

Overall, I'm pleased with my eyes feeling softer and appearing more hydrated.

For more information about Perfective Ceuticals Anti-imperfection Eye Therapy with Growth Factor and additional skincare products by Perfective Ceuticals visit Amazon or Perfective Ceuticals.

$25 Children's Book Blast Giveaway - Fish Also Go To Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 05 May 2015 04:00:00 +0000

About the Book
Title: Fish Also Go To Heaven | Author: Tammy Brown Elkeles | Illustrator: Raquel Afonso | Publication Date: October 28, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 42 | Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 Summary: Fish Also Go to Heaven – A unique optimistic view of a loss of a loved pet.

Ellie’s best friend is her little goldfish. Spending every moment she can with him and telling him all her secrets. And at school she talks about him all the time as well. But one morning little “Fishie” is not moving…. Like all children, Ellie loves her little pet, Fishie. Sometimes young children are confronted by the realities of life that no one lives forever, especially little fish. How will Ellie and her mother handle the situation when Fishie is not moving one morning? After trying to spare Ellie the pain and replacing Fishie by a similar fish, after a while the new fish jumps out of his fish bowl. Mother must now teach Ellie about one of the most basic facts of life. What happens to fish when they die? Are they OK wherever they are? Will we ever see them again? How will Ellie handle the loss of her goldfish? How will mother help Ellie with her loss? Fish Also Go To Heaven offers kids a lesson about the facts of life and death in a unique optimistic way that will make it easy for them to handle similar loss. The book will help parents of tender children discuss the subject of loss with their kids and ease the grieving process for those who are faced with such loss. This children’s book is suitable for a read aloud bedtime story for preschoolers or as a self-read for older children.

* PRICE DROP *

* "Fish Also Go To Heaven" is available as an e-book for only 99 cents from Amazon between May 5 & 7, 2015. Or, subscribers to Kindle Unlimited can grab an e-copy for FREE! *

Amazon * Goodreads

The Buzz About the Book

"My daughter loves this book, I read it to her over and over again. Warmly recommended." ~ Daphna, Amazon

"This bittersweet story deals with the subject of loss and death in a creatively spiritual way that would appeal to small children as well as their parents, who may debate how to answer such questions as 'What happened to my cherished goldfish?' Highly recommended." ~ Shiran B., Amazon

"This lovely bed time story gives an insight into how to help small children to deal with loss in a lovely manner. The illustrations are cute as in other books by the same author. I generally feel that Tammy's stories, invite me into her life and experiences with her children." ~ Odvir, Amazon

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 18, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Tammy Brown Elkeles and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition 7" Tablet + $50 Giveaway Amazon - PayPal

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 01 May 2015 03:59:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews, in collaboration with the fabulous sponsors listed below (award-winning authors / publishers), is pleased to be coordinating a giveaway for a Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition 7" Tablet (+ $50 gift card/cash).

This giveaway will take place from May 1 to 31, 2015, overlapping with Children's Book Week (May 4 to 10, 2015).

We hope that you will share this amazing giveaway with your friends and family!

About the Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition 7" Tablet

The Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition Tablet also comes with 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited (which means kids get unlimited access to 5,000 books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games—at no additional cost!).

It includes a quad-core processor for great performance, a vivid HD display, front and rear-facing cameras, and Dolby Audio PLUS comes with a Kid-Proof Case, and a 2-year worry-free guarantee - if they break it, return it and Amazon replaces it for free. No questions asked! PLUS, we will also gift the winner a $50 Amazon gift card to help fill up their new Kindle with books!

Fabulous Sponsors (Bloggers)

Thank you to the following bloggers who are sponsoring this giveaway. Please consider visiting at least one or two and thanking them personally.

Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Book Reviews and Giveaways

My Love For Reading Keeps Growing

The Candid Cover

Ava Grace's Closet

Fabulous Sponsors (Authors and Publishers)

A big thank you to all of the participating children's authors and wonderful publishers who are sponsoring this Amazon Kindle giveaway. Below you will find their fabulous books.

Please consider purchasing one, two or more children's books that interest you as a "Thank You" to these generous sponsors. Some books are free, others only 99 cents!

Kindle Fire HD Giveaway Terms

Prize: One winner will receive either a new Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition 7" Tablet + a $50 Amazon gift card (US only) a $200 Amazon gift card (US Only) or $200 PayPal cash prize (International) Contest closes: May 31, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. NOTE: When the winner is chosen, ALL of their entries will be verified. If ANY of the winner's entries is invalid, they will be disqualified and a new winner will be chosen. In our last Kindle giveaway, the first winner chosen was disqualified for this very reason!

* PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN *

ADDING BOOKS TO WISH LIST ON AMAZON: Hint...if you scroll to the bottom of the list on Amazon, you will see a button "Add All Items to Your Wish List". One click is all it takes!

ADDING BOOKS TO "WANT-TO-READ" SHELF ON GOODREADS: If you do not see the column entitled "my rating", click on "settings" and make sure that the "shelves" box is checked. This will make it super-easy to add the books to your "to-read" shelf.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Rosehip Seed Oil by Beauty Oils.Co Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:15:00 +0000

I've heard so many wonderful things about Rosehip Oil and was very excited to have the opportunity to review Rosehip Oil by Beauty Oils.Co.

Since I've entered my 40's, those fine lines seem to be popping up more and more on my face; especially around my eyes. Rosehip Seed Oil is known to help reduce not only those fine lines, but also correct dark spots, hydrate dry skin, and reduce scars.

I researched Rosehip Seed Oil prior to using it. Here's what I found out. First, it is predominantly grown in Chile. It also is naturally rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, including omega-6 and omega-3. Lastly, this oil was used by Native Americans, Mayans and Egyptians as a natural healing remedy.

The Rosehip Oil by Beauty Oils.Co came in a 2 fl. oz bottle. As soon as I opened it up, I noticed the wonderful fragrance. On the box it said it was 100% pure Rosehip Oil and that all you needed was 1 - 2 drops per usage, which was plenty for covering my entire face. It also shared that you can use as needed.

For the past two weeks, I've used it twice a day - when I wake up and when I go to bed. I absolutely love the feeling of my face after applying it. Even though it is an oil, when applied it actually absorbs into your skin, leaving it softer and more hydrated. My skin didn't feel oily at all.

I haven't noticed any change to my fine lines. But again, I've only been using it for two weeks and from prior experience of using other products, I know sometimes it takes a month or two. It also is sunny spring here in the Charlotte, NC area, which isn't helping stop my skins aging process.

Overall, I highly recommend trying Rosehip Oil by Beauty Oils.Co. It really has helped keep my skin hydrated and looking fresh!

Rosehip Oil by Beauty Oils.Co. is available on Amazon.

I received a free sample of Rosehip Oil by Beauty Oils.Co. for my honest opinion, without compensation.

$50 Children's Book Blast Giveaway - Caterpillar Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 04:00:00 +0000

About the Book

Title: Caterpillar Shoes | Author: Angela Muse | Illustrator: Ewa Podles | Publication Date: March 26, 2015 | Publisher: 4EYESBOOKS | Pages: 28 | Recommended Ages: 0 to 8
Summary: Patches is an energetic caterpillar who is trying to decide what activities to do. In the end, she doesn't put any limits on herself and lives her life to the full.

Amazon * Goodreads

About the Author: Angela Muse

Angela was born in California to a military family. This meant that she got used to being the "new kid" in school every couple of years. It was hard trying to make new friends, but Angela discovered she had a knack for writing. In high school Angela began writing poetry and song lyrics. Expressing herself through writing seemed very natural. After becoming a Mom in 2003, Angela continued her storytelling to her own children. In 2009 she wrote and published her first rhyming children's book aimed at toddlers. Since then she has released several more children's picture books and released her first young adult romance series, The Alpha Girls, in 2012. Angela's husband, Ben Muse writes suspense/thriller books that can also be found on Amazon. Check out what else she's working on by visiting www.4eyesbooks.com

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 6, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Angela Muse and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Children's Book Blast $25 Cash Giveaway - This Little President by Joan Holub

About the Book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

Sneak Peek of This Little President Children's Picture Book

About the Author: Joan Holub

** Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Goo and Spot Picture Book

About the Book

A *NEW* "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Elsa Takaoka

Author Website * Facebook * Twitter * Google+

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Lionel's Grand Adventure Picture Book

About the Book

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Paul R. Hewlett

Website * Blog * Facebook

Twitter * Google+ * Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast Cash Giveaway and Book Review - Mice & Spiders & Webs . . . Oh My!

Please note that 50% of the cost of Sherrill Cannon's books go to the following two organizations: http://sbpra.com/curejm and http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree. Here are Ms. Cannon's other books:

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Sherrill S. Cannon

Website * SBPRA Website * CureJM Website

Google+ * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Finn's Rocket

About the Book

Amazon * Goodreads

The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"

About the Author: Serena Schreiber

Author Website | Book Website

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Reader's Favorite Gold Medal Children's Picture Book Award Winner - Isabella Babysits Baxter

Tween Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Miss Priss: One and Off the Court

About the Book

Amazon * Smooth Sailing Press * Goodreads

Book Preview

Book Review

About the Author: Judy Phillips

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the Illustrator: Brenda Nichols

Facebook | Goodreads

Miss Priss Blog Tour Schedule (2015)

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Review

To order go toLegend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on AmazonI was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.

Paula's Choice Skincare Product Review and Get 20% Off

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Meet all 12 Wonderful Hosts of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4!

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5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids

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Selfie Stick Makes Taking Self-portraits Fun and Easy - Mpow iSnap Bluetooth Review

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$25 Children's Book Blast Giveaway - Fish Also Go To Heaven

* PRICE DROP *

* "Fish Also Go To Heaven" is available as an e-book for only 99 cents from Amazon between May 5 & 7, 2015. Or, subscribers to Kindle Unlimited can grab an e-copy for FREE! *

Amazon * Goodreads

The Buzz About the Book

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition 7" Tablet + $50 Giveaway Amazon - PayPal

Fabulous Sponsors (Bloggers)

Fabulous Sponsors (Authors and Publishers)

Kindle Fire HD Giveaway Terms

* PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN *

Rosehip Seed Oil by Beauty Oils.Co Review

$50 Children's Book Blast Giveaway - Caterpillar Shoes

Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway

A NEW "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

To order go to
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on Amazon

I was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.